Chapter 12

Let the games begin. I thought as I entered Fresh Hell the next morning. I was dressed in a blue skins and a sports vest I had found in the closet along with a pair of sneakers.

It had been a rather long night but I fought through it. Believe me, i had been tempted to call him to my room but it took super human efforts to resist. Having him in my room would have just made the situation worse. So now I was going to get the truth out of him.

I pushed open the door and walked in. I stopped dead in my tracks. The room was empty.

I was five minutes late but Gabriel wasn't here? I slowly wondered in thinking maybe he was hiding somewhere.

"Gabriel?" I called.

Nothing. Hmm...

I walked further into the room and sat on one of the chairs and decided to practise what I had learnt yesterday.

I had my weights with me so I started juggling them in the air but that soon got boring so a started flinging them across the room and back to me via mind control.

Just when I was about to give up, the door opened.

"It's about time..." I started then stopped.

It wasn't Gabriel.

"Hey you start without me." The newcomer said in I guessed a Spanish accent stretching his hand towards the weights and the went hurtling towards him and he caught them deftly.

He was wearing dark jeans and a shiny shirt along with black shoes doused in bling. I couldn't see his face, he had sunglasses on but his hair which he had in a sleek ponytail was blonde.

"Sorry?" I raised my eyebrows standing up from my chair.

He walked towards me and stopped two steps away from me.

"Wow. You really are beautiful." He said removing his dark glasses.

Now that I could see his face, he had light brown eyes and square features. He seemed to be in his forties but I guess in his day he was a good looking man, maybe?

"Who are you?" I asked in confusion.

"I'm Fabio. I'm Guardian like you. I come to train you." He told me with a huge grin.

"What?" No no. I didn't hear him right. "Where is Gabriel?"

"He ask me to...how you say...cover for him." He said setting down the weights on a nearby table. "We have a lot of fun, me and you. Yeah?" He winked at me.

He was the third Guardian. Why hadn't I met him before? And more importantly why would Gabriel ditch me? Was it because of what happened yesterday?

"Did Gabriel say why he wasn't coming?" I asked feeling a stab of pain.

Fabio frowned. "No. I was in Seattle and he call me last night to come and teach you. I take helicóptero I come here."

I could barely breathe because of the pain that hit me when he said that. Gabriel had called him from Seattle because he couldn't stand to teach me. I swallowed back my tears.

"Don't worry, cara. We have lots of fun." He came closer and patted my shoulder.

I didn't need sympathy from this stranger. "I'm fine. Shall we start?"

"Right. Telepathy." He started. "It's all about making connection with subject. It takes great control so its not simple for others but with Guardians we can talk together using telepathy. Other supernaturals cannot talk back with us." He explained.

I nodded. Trying not to be annoyed by his accent.

"I enter your mind now."

He said as I felt his gentle probing in my mind. Funny, the effect that this had on me was very mild compared to what I had with Gabriel. I took a deep breath and told myself not to think of him now. Later, I promised.

He allowed me to enter in his mind and we practiced telepathy thoroughly until I was quite the proficient. The rest of the lesson was conducted telepathically.

He taught me how to create illusions in someone's mind. I managed to create rain in Fabio's mind he could actually see it physically though of course he will the only one seeing it because the illusion is in his mind.

Fabio pushed and probed until I unleashed as he called it : 'potencial completo' which directly translates to full potential he told me.

The last lesson was on causing certain emotions in a person. It wasn't easy and I struggled through most of it. All I managed to do was to make him feel slightly sad which I couldn't change back so he was all bummed out for the rest of the lesson.

It took almost five hours but the lesson finally came to an end.

"Magnífico. You are as intelligent as you are beautiful, cara." He complimented me for the thousandth time.

I smiled at him. "You are in amazing teacher, Fabio." As much as I would have loved to hate him, he was amazing and patient which was more than I could say for Gabriel.

He came towards me and hugged me tight. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, cara."

"Likewise." I lied as he released me. Noone has ever spoken of him. "Are you going to spend the day here?" I asked as we made our way out of Fresh Hell and up the stairs.

"No no. I go back to Seattle and tomorrow morning I will come again for you." He explained. "I have it problem with Gisele. Beautiful face and body but no brains." He spat looking irritated.

I chuckled at that. At least I wasn't the only one who wasn't fond of her.

"Well then I'll see you tomorrow, Fabio. And thank you again." I smiled at him as we reached a landing.

"Yes. Tomorrow, cara."

I left him as I went up the stairs and I left the corridor that led to my room. I was going in search of Gabriel. During the lesson, my hurt had turned to anger and I was going to have it out with him.

I went straight to his office. Reaching the door, I knocked.

I heard a grunted response so I opened the door and got it closing the door behind me.

He didn't look up from whatever he was writing on his desk. So I waited.

"What do you want, Santana?" He asked without looking up.

"Why did you do it?" I bit out through clenched teeth.

"Do what?" He asked calmly as he grabbed a stamp and stamped some papers.

I wanted to leap on his throat so instead my hands curled into tight fists. "You ditched me." I bit out sounding more hurt than I intended to sound. Damn it!

At that note looked up at me. He gave me a look over then his gaze met mine. "I didn't ditch you."

"Oh okay so Fabio was just a fragment my imagination!" I snapped.

"I got you a better teacher." His tone was annoyingly dry. It made this hurt even more.

"You ditched me. I thought... I thought..." I didn't know how to finish that sentence. Emotion was overcoming me. "Is this because of last night?"

"No." He simply said.

Oh! He was so frustrating! Why?! I wanted to scream.

"So what is it?" My voice was rising. "Just when I think we could be friends you go and pull a mean stunt like this!" My emotions were running over and I was yelling at him. Oh no.

He said nothing as he just stared at me.

"Why are you so cold and mean to me? I've been nothing but nice to you yet you..you." Stop talking please stop talking, my subconscious mind begged. "You are so allergic to connecting with other people that every time someone tries to get close to you, you turn away!"

He stood up so forcefully he knocked his chair over. "That's enough." He snapped. "You don't know a thing about me. So put your claws back in place and get out of my fucking office." Red anger waves were radiating from him but then again they were also radiating from me.

I glared at him for a full minute before I turned on my heel and left banging the door behind me.

I angrily stomped to the stair case but instead of going down to my room, i went upstairs to the roof.

I also slammed that door when I reached upstairs. Urgh!

That man!

I started pacing up and down on the roof trying to calm down. I tried to figure out why he got to me so much.

I had dealt with many assholes in my life so why did this particular one infuriate me so much? I sighed as I felt tears sting the back of my eyes.

He drew me in then kicked me out with no regard as to how I might feel.

Yes, so I liked him.

And I also would like for him to like me. Just a little.

I crumbled as the tears broke free and fell on my cheeks. I slumped down on the ground in a corner and sobbed my troubles away.

I wished I could talk to Lola. I needed her now more than ever and I'm sure she would know what to do. I had never had boy troubles before and obviously that was because I had never had any boys.

These people came into my life and changed its course and I was getting hurt because of it. Oh! I didn't need this. I didn't need new friends. I didn't need Gabriel. I didn't need the pain.

I had live all this time without him I sure as hell could continue doing it. I determinedly wiped my tears on my vest. I'll just go ahead with my training with Fabio and forget about narcissistic Gabriel.

He was a supernatural hazard!

Oh, if only Lola was here.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a chopper. I got up and run to the edge of the roof. The chopper was at the far left end of the property and Fabio was jogging towards it.

I watched as he got in and it took off noisily from the ground and he whooped past me into the sky. My hair was flying wildly because of the wind. I watched as he disappeared in the distance.

If only I could disappear into the distance...

My heart jumped when I saw wolves coming out from the bushes. It really kind of terrifying to watch yet it was as mesmerising. If I saw them super close I guess I'd be terrified.

Just when I thought it couldn't get more magical, they started to shift. The leader shifted each of the followers started to shift randomly. It was beyond amazing!

One minute there's a huge wolf and next a man is standing there!

Wow.

Wait! Was that Mr McLain? I squinted hard.

Yep, I could spot that blonde hair anywhere but there was only one way to know for sure.

"Cedric!" I yelled as loud as i could. Nothing.

"Hey, Cedric!" I yelled again. Still nothing.

I sighed. Er just as well, I wasn't really in the mood for people anyway. Turning away from the railing, I decided that it was time to get inside the house. I went inside the house closing the roof door behind me and I walked as fast as I could to my room so I wouldn't encounter anyone.

In a few seconds, I was in the safe sanctuary of my room. I sighed in both relief and exhaustion as I dragged my feet to the large bed. It was then that something caught my eye.

I gasped. On the small table was a small tray of food exactly in the same spot Gabriel had placed a tray last night. I hurried to the table and I noticed a small note at corner.

Had Gabriel done this? My heart pounded in the chest in anticipation as I snatched the note from the tray and fumbled it open.

My heart sunk. It was from Fabio.

'You did well today, cara. I will be back tomorrow so keep on practising. Enjoy your meal.

Fabio.'

I placed the note back on the tray disappointment weighing down in my chest. Why did I even expect anything from sour Gabriel? Why did I hope that he would apologize. Why did I want want him to like me? Better yet, why did I desperately want him to like me?

I swallowed hard as i tears stung the back of my eyes. Remembering the promise I made myself on the roof, I blinked rapidly to dispel the stupid tears then I reached over and opened on of the the plater.

It was a mayo, cheese and tuna sandwich accompanied by a vegetable salad. I took an bite into the sandwich.

It tasted like disappointment...and rejection.

*         *         *

A few hours later, I was in Fresh Hell lying on my back on one of the blue wrestling mats breathing heavily from the punch Payne had delivered to my gut. I was seriously regretting my decision to do wrestling because Payne had really taken my request to heart and he was merciless in his teaching.

My side hurt! And he showed no sign of relenting!.

"Get up you little sissy!" He barked at me. "When I'm done with you, you are going to be ring ready. Get up, Lioness." He said when I didn't move.

I was buying time to calculate my next move. I let him walk towards me and waited until he passed by my legs. I lifted my leg and kicked him with all my might behind the knees. He groaned as he fell backwards. I stood in with a triumphant scream. This is the first time I had actually hit him.

"Who's the sissy now? Get up!" I yelled at him with a huge grin on my face.

He stood up with a sheepish smile. "You is scrappy, I like that."

Without warning he grabbed both my hands and shoved me to the ground. I landed with a thud and a groan.

"You have to resist and fight back. I'm the enemy. Don't give me a chance to have you at my mercy. Get up."

I obeyed then I ran for him trying to pin him down but of course I didn't have enough strength to knock him over but I sure as hell was putting all my might in it. We stood there nothing but groans and hisses each trying to knock the other over.

The door suddenly burst open and in angry Gabriel stood in the doorway.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Gabriel snapped as he practically stomped into the gym.

We paused mid-fight.

"Training." I supplied. Payne looked like a child who had been caught stealing.

"I'm not fucking talking to you, Santana." He snapped glaring at Payne. He looked like he was about to start wrestling Payne.

"We trainin' " he told him jutting his chin out stubbornly.

"I will have a word with you." Gabriel bit out marching to the far end of the room well out of earshot.

I watched in annoyance as Payne followed him. What the hell was his problem coming here to interrupt my training? After he was done talking to Payne, I was going to give him a few words of my own, I thought crossing my arms with barely suppressed anger.

I could see Gabriel gesturing angrily at Payne but I couldn't hear what they were saying.

"...I don't care what she said, you are a Wiseman and you should know better!" Gabriel's angry voice suddenly rang from the far end of the room.

Payne mumbled something I didn't hear.

"You are hurting her! If she insists on killing herself will you indulge her too?" Gabriel yelled back.

I could tell Payne was getting angry because his gestures were becoming more animated but I still couldn't hear his replies.

But I had heard enough. I angrily stomped towards them and they didn't even seen to notice me approaching.

"...you were to help her work out and keep fit not train her for wrestling Olympics."

"I would appreciate it if you don't come and tell me how to do my job." Payne bit out. I could tell he was trying to contain his fury.

"I'm not-"

"Gabriel. What is your problem?" I cut him off.

"Stay out of this." He snapped.

"No no don't yell at Payne. Yell at me and tell me what your problem is. I wanted to do the wrestling and I made Payne do it." I said lifting my chin in challenge.

He turned and glared at me for a long moment. "You are not fit enough to wrestle." He said in a very controlled voice.

"You have no right to make that decision. You signed me off to Fabio, remember?" I raised an eyebrow.

Gabriel mumbled something under his breathe and closed his eyes as if praying for patience. "You have trained enough." He finally said.

Without warning, he grabbed my arm and forcefully pulled me further into the room towards the exit door that led outside.

"High handed jerk." Payne yelled after us and I heard Gabriel hiss something under his breath.

He dragged me past the group of confused supernaturals playing ballgames outside.

"Gabriel, stop you are embarrassing me!" I said trying to free my arm.

"Don't fight me otherwise I'll carry you on my shoulder." He threatened.

I gasped. He wouldn't, would he? He probably would, I thought remembering the time when Lola had come here and he had lifted me.

In a few seconds we had passed a collection of bushes and had reached an isolated clearing with tree stumps all over.

He dropped my hand as he stopped.

"Are you done?" I  hissed at him my teeth clenched in barely contained anger. I turned on my heel to head back to the house. My anger had reached boiling point and it wasn't safe for anyone to be around me. Especially the cause of the anger.

In two huge strides, Gabriel literally carried me and planted me on the spot I had been standing earlier.

"What the hell is your problem?" I yelled forcefully shrugging myself free.

"What the hell is your problem?" Gabriel yelled back with an equal amount of anger. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"No! But I might kill you!" My eyes were blazing in fury. I couldn't believe this man.

"Wrestling is dangerous. Payne can get out of control." He bit out.

"He didn't give me anything I couldn't handle. Besides, what's it to you?" Oh no tears of anger were threatening.

"You could get hurt, do you realize that?" He asked me his angry eyes boring into mine.

"If I get hurt then it would have been mine decision to get hurt not yours. I get to decide what I do not you." I bit out through clenched teeth.

"No I will decide what's safe for you to do. I have more experience than you-"

I interjected. "Ah yes the mighty Gabriel. You are better, faster, stronger more experienced than anyone else. " I said doing a mocking majestic walk. "I don't care! You are not the boss of me."

He glared at me seemingly insulted by my mockery. "I'm trying to help you." He said a little more calmly.

"I don't need your help, Gabriel. Why can't you just leave me alone?" I was getting teary again. "You are so confusing. 'Come here, Santana' 'No, go to Fabio'. " I said deepening my voice to copy his. "Have you taken a minute to realise that I'm not a toy? You can't push me away and then pick me up any time you want. That's not how human beings work!" I paused letting the words sink in. "If you can't decide then I'll make it easy for you: just leave me alone and don't worry about me. I don't want to be your problem anymore. If I get hurt let it go on record that I was not under your care. You are free to leave me alone."

There. I did it. I got it off my chest. It didn't feel as good as I thought it would. That was disappointing.

Gabriel was silent as he watched me with thoughtful eyes. I could feel tears sting the back of my eyes and I really didn't want him to see me cry so I turned to leave since he clearly want going to talk.

"I can't." Gabriel's pained voice stopped me.

I swung around to face him again.

"What?" I whispered.

"I can't leave you alone." His eyes flashed in some deep emotion. "I am drawn to you like a moth to a flame. I can't leave you alone." H said it like it hurt to say.

I stared at him mouth agape.